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Colleen Samot and Denis Hartnett as Morticia and Gomez Addams lead the cast in a rehearsal of the Pierson High School musical production of The Addams Family in the school auditorium on Tuesday, April 21. Photo by Michael Heller.[/caption]
On Friday, East End Arts unveiled its 2015 Teeny Awards Nominees with Pierson High School productions earning a number of nods, along with the Ross School. East End Arts judges attended productions at 16 East End high schools. The Teeny Awards, conceived from the idea of the Antoinette Perry Awards – The Tony Awards – for Broadway shows, has been celebrating excellence in high school theater across the East End since 2002 and with winners announced at a formal ceremony on Sunday, June 7 at Center Moriches High School, hosted by radio personality, broadcaster, and interviewer Walker Vreeland.
Pierson scored the Judges Choice Award for the performance by The Ancestors in “The Addams Family,” performed earlier this month at Pierson High School. Audrey Owen also earned a nomination for Supporting Female in a Musical as Alice Beineke in “The Adams Family.” Dennis Hartnett was nominated for Lead Male in a Musical as Gomez Adams in the same production, and Rebecca Dwoskin also earned a nom for her role as Wednesday Addams. Paul Hartman was nominated for his number in The Addams Family for “Outstanding Choreography.”
Hartnett also earned a nomination for Supporting Male in a Play for his comedic turn as Lady Bracknell in “The Importance of Being Earnest,” which debuted at Pierson High School in February. Dwoskin was also recognized for her role in that production as Cecily Cardew, as was Audrey Owen as Gwendolen Fairfax—both earned nominations for Lead Female in a Play. Shane Hennessy was nominated for Lead Male in a Play for his role as John Worthington in the same play, as was Paul Hartman for his turn as Algernon Moncrieff.
Emily Austopchuk from The Ross School was honored with a nomination for Outstanding Female in a One-Act Play as Tassie in “Tassie Suffers.” Daniela Herman, also from Ross, earned a nomination in the same category for her role as Sarah in “Bed & Breakfast.” Miguel Monori was nominated for Outstanding Male in a One-Act Play for his turn as Barry in “Misfortune” at The Ross School, as was Mael Oujaddou as Matthew in “Measuring Matthew,” also at The Ross School.
It wasn’t just about acting though – Sabrina Baum and Natalie Brooks from Pierson also earned a nomination for their Playbill and Poster Design for “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
The Teeny Awards are open to the public and open on Sunday, June 7 at Center Moriches High School, 311 Frowein Road, Center Moriches, at 1:30 p.m. with the red carpet, followed by the 3 p.m. ceremony. Adult tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door; student tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Visit eastendarts.org for more information.
